8 of Cups (reversed): Journey.

、？？？ ・Hogwarts Express

、

It didn't take long for Severus to walk into the carriage with a girl with beautiful long flaming hair: "Long wait. ”

Severus was also surprised that he had been unexpectedly delayed for a long time in finding someone, but fortunately in the end, it could be regarded as a success - Lily was at King's Cross Station because she couldn't find the platform for nine and three-quarters, and she was almost unable to catch the train. It was precisely because of this that she got on the train near the end of the train, which made Severus really easy to find.

[No problem.] ]

Opal smiled and shook his head, smiling at the slightly cramped girl, "I'm Voti Yunik, you can just call me Voti. What about you? ]

"Lily, Lily Evans. Just call me Lily. ”

Probably because she had heard Severus talk about Opal's situation before, so Lily didn't make a fuss about Opal's special way of speaking, but looked at the book in Opal's hand with some curiosity, "What are you looking at?" ”

[Hogwarts, a piece of school history, is purely meant to pass the time.] ]

Opal put down the book in his hand, [After all, I'm going to spend seven years here, so I want to know more.] ]

"It's this one......"

Obviously, Lily is also a person who likes to read, and after discovering that Opal was reading a book that she happened to read, she immediately answered with joy, "Which character does Walty like in it?" I really like the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. ”

[Me?] My favorite is Salazar Slytherin. ]

Opal wasn't surprised by Lily's favorite character - in fact, she might be surprised if Lily said she liked Slytherin.

"Slytherin?"

Lily's brow furrowed slightly, but then soothed, "Severt likes Slytherin too, and it looks like you and Severty must have a common language." ”

Seaver? Well, she doesn't say anything about it.

Opal raised his eyebrows without a trace, but his face was still emotional: [You don't seem to have a good impression of Slytherin, can you ask why?] ]

It's been so long since she became "Opal" that she has almost forgotten her true "past". However, there were some clues that she still had a vague impression of - for example, she remembered that Lily should not care about the faction formed by the division of the house, and insisted on continuing to be friends with Severus who entered Slytherin, but she had no memory of the more specific contents.

"I can't tell ...... words"

After thinking about it for a moment, Lily tried to organize her language, "Maybe I think he's hiding too deeply." If you don't show any feelings, you always feel that it will be unpredictable. And...... Doesn't Woti think that it would seem very philistine to always put interests and exchanges first? ”

So that's why you won't choose Severus in the future? Because you can't see through it?

[Is this...... It can only be said that everyone's values are different. ]

After all, he and Lily are not particularly familiar, so although there is an inexplicable sense of intimacy with Lily, Opal still replied very cautiously, [Slytherin friendship is not something that can be obtained so easily, at least Slytherin has never wanted to harm the other three. ]

“…… I can't say ......."

She opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but in the end Lily grabbed her hair and gave up, "Relatively speaking, I prefer Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. Well, aside, Walty, what do you think of the description of spells in the book? I've tried it several times at home, but I've only been able to do the simplest ......."

Severus pouted cryptically compared to the two girls they had soon talked to—he hadn't ignored the meaningful look that Opal had looked at him when Lily called him "Sever" earlier. The feeling that made him feel as if his whole body was being seen through was quite uncomfortable.

But after unconsciously talking about the contents of the book that he could have interjected into and talking about the girl-related aspects that he had not touched on at all, Severus began to bored and began to try to find something else to pass the time in the carriage.

Luckily, Opal seemed to see his boredom, and while chatting with Lily, she took out a book related to potions from her small luggage and handed it over, which made Severus's eyes light up instantly, but more suspiciously—how did she know she liked to read books on this subject.

[…… So, I'm not particularly good at spells. Relatively speaking, I'm still more of a fan of potions......]

But fortunately, the chat between Opal and Lily quickly dispelled his doubts, and after seeing that the girl who suddenly appeared and Lily seemed to have something to talk about, in addition to lamenting that the topic between the girls really didn't know why they couldn't finish talking, Severus also turned his attention to the potions book in his hand - he had already memorized the first-grade textbooks he had bought, and his family would not allow him to buy two more potions-related books at the Blotted Bookstore, At the moment, it seems that the book in his hand is still a limited collector's edition, and it would be a pity to miss it.

Severus would never believe the previous sentence "not particularly good at spells" - after all, he had seen with his own eyes how skillful the white-haired girl in front of him was at the station.

It's just that what makes Severus feel strange is that the girl named "Walty" in front of him can obviously see that her family is very good, as a person who also admires and likes Slytherin, Severus doesn't think that Walty will be so kind to him and Lily for no reason, but he can't think of any explanation for it.

Opal didn't seem to have any idea of explaining this, just talking to Lily, and letting Severus think about it alone.

{Bad Taste......}

Because he was afraid of scaring people and didn't want to continue to wrap the bracelet around Opal's wrist, Nagini, who was covering the hair that was scattered at the moment, shrunk on Opal's shoulder, commented very pertinently on what his master was doing at the moment.

He also said that he didn't hold a grudge against the labor service he was punished before, so he knew that Severus's character would be uncontrollable and want to scare himself, but he also let him think divergently over there, anyway, Nagini was already sure that when he was about to arrive at the station, his own lady would definitely use a few words to make that Severus understand that he was thinking too much and had a natural sense of guilt for her......

And then not surprisingly, Opal knocked his head on the pretext of a haircut as a warning - some things are good to know, how unaesthetic is it to say them?

====================== I omit the dividing line of the car ride =====================

???, United Kingdom ・Hogwarts Outlying Station

、

Time passed quickly, and after a long time of sharing afternoon tea on the train, the train slowed down and finally stopped. By this time, the sky outside the window had begun to darken.

[We seem to have arrived at the station......]

Having already packed his luggage in advance, Opal exhaled and turned to look at Lily beside him, [Shall we go down together?] ]

"Of course."

Lily nodded happily, after an afternoon of getting along, she really felt that the silver-haired girl in front of her was a friend who could be made deeply, at least she felt very comfortable with her, "Seaver, we're together." ”

Severus, who had been on the side for a long time, rolled his eyes very covertly - did he still need to bark?

Passengers on the train pushed and shoved, rushed to the door, and descended to a small, dark platform. The cold outside the car made Opal shiver, and then subconsciously put a heat preservation spell on himself, and after turning his head and finding that Severus and Lily on the side also seemed to be a little unable to adapt to the temperature difference, Opal waved his wand in his hand and added a spell to the two of them.

"Walty, what kind of spell is this?"

After Lily tried to move her body, she ran to Opal's side with some excited little steps and asked in a low voice, "I don't seem to have seen this spell in a book. ”

[A household spell in "Magic Makes Your Life Better", which is a beginner spell.] ]

Opal answered the question in a low voice, thought for a moment and took out the magic book with the shrinkage spell cast from the pocket of his clothes, and threw it directly to Lily, [use Engor when you go back...... Well, you might as well let the house-elves at Hogwarts help you break the spell. If you don't know how to call a house-elf, you can ask the students in other grades, and they should all know. ]

In fact, Opal originally wanted to use "Engorgio" directly, but she suddenly remembered that this spell should not be learned until the third grade, so she had to change her words temporarily. Severus on the side raised an eyebrow - Engor? It's supposed to be Engorgio, right? He only learned about this spell by chance from his mother's notes, but looking at the appearance of the silver-haired girl, it seems that she has long been used to using it?

Severus, who secretly made another note in his heart, made up his mind that when he arrived at school, he must find a way to trick someone's bottom.

"Thanks! Let's get it, let it go! ”

At this time, the last group of people was squeezed out of the back carriage, and the already overcrowded platform was now even more crowded with people who had to think of the so-called canned sardines.

"Hmm......"

was squeezed from behind, and Lily, who was already having difficulty turning around, couldn't help but rush forward with the crowd, and stepped directly into the air and was about to fall off the platform.

[Be careful.] ]

Fortunately, Opal on the side was quick-eyed, and he poked out his hand and dragged her back against the crowd.

"Good ...... Risk"

Lily patted her chest in fear for a while, then looked at Opal and couldn't help but smile, "Thank you Voti, I really ...... just now"

[You'd better think about it yourself, not every time I can save you so skillfully.] ]

Opal shrugged his shoulders indifferently, and then looked in the direction where the crowd was coming, but only the back of his head was seen in the distance - the daredevil, if he remembered correctly, should have black hair, but it was really not easy to find in this sea of people right now.

"Votty, you're so reliable."

Pulling on her suitcase with some difficulty, Lily looked around, "Speaking of which, when are we going to wait at this station?" I can't bear to squeeze any longer. ”

"Someone has already come."

Severus, who had been in front of the backdrop, finally spoke, and he pointed to a magic lamp floating in the distance—a lady who looked to be some age and was wearing a simple formal dress was standing under the lamp.

"First graders, please come and meet me!"

It must have been a spell to amplify the sound, but the flow of people who had been instructed immediately began to diverge.

"Is it just a first-year?"

Noticing that most of the students were heading in the other direction, Lily was a little curious, "Where are we going?" ”

"It's supposed to be an entrance ceremony, right?"

Severus was a little unsure, but he still carried his small suitcase and followed the flow of people with the two of them.

[It seems to be mentioned in Hogwarts, A History of the School.] ]

Opal whispered. Speaking of which, when she was in the first grade before, it was Fei Lengcui who sent her directly to the main entrance of Hogwarts, which was regarded as opening the back door, and she only heard others mention it a little bit about the specific process. This is the first time I've experienced this kind of journey, and it feels quite delicate.

"Ah, I remember...... It was indeed mentioned. When Gryffindor and his team went to Slytherin's castle, they first walked through fields, then across lakes, and finally through a forest before reaching their destination. ”

Being reminded by Opal like this, Lily also remembered the relevant content, "But the book doesn't mention walking the mountain road!" ”

At the moment they were walking downhill along a steep and narrow path. It was pitch black on both sides of the path, and it was probably a dense forest.

"Maybe it was deliberately omitted, after all, unless it is hidden in the deep mountains and old forests, such a large castle is easy for ordinary people to discover."

Severus came up with his idea, and he got a barely qualified statement.

At this time, a black lake suddenly opened at the end of the narrow path. On the high hillside on the other side of the lake rises a majestic castle with spires and windows twinkling under the stars.

"Wow, that's great!" Such exclamations came and went.

"No more than four people per boat!"

At this time, the lady pointed to a group of small boats moored on the shore and said loudly.

Opal was naturally with Lily and Severus, and with him was a boy in shabby clothes, with short linen hair and glasses of the same color, and a look of some haggardness. Opal was slightly stunned when he saw him, but then he went to help Lily get on the boat.

It's just that while in the seat, Opal intentionally or unintentionally isolated Lily from the diagonal seat farthest away from the boy.

Although Lily did not react to Opal's movements, Severus on the side noticed - but he looked at the boy and did not see anything unusual, at most he did not look very good, and seemed to be in a difficult situation.

Silent as they arose, the boat carried them through the ivy curtain that covered the cliff front to the secluded open entrance. They followed a pitch-black tunnel that seemed to lead to the castle underneath, and finally reached a place that resembled an underground pier, and then climbed up to the ground of gravel and small pebbles. Climb a tunnel in the rocks and finally reach a flat, damp meadow in the shadow of the castle. Finally, everyone climbed a stone staircase and gathered in front of a large oak door.

Hogwarts, which is about to attend, has finally arrived.

======================================================

Although a lot of the same people are written about the foursome and Severus and Lily's bad relationship started at King's Cross Station.,But I'm probably not going to do it here.,After all, although it's the same bus.,But it's really not easy to meet this probability in the vast sea of people.,Personally, I think it's normal to start intersecting from school.。 After all, Gryffindor was a four-person dormitory, so it was easier to form a companion at that time (personally, the only people I still have contact with are my dorm mates at the university), and no one on the train would walk out of their box if they were fine.

By the way, the Black family is obviously an aristocratic family, and it is impossible not to have their own exclusive box, and although the Potter family is not mentioned in the original book, it is speculated that Jaime, as an old man, must be very favored, and the seat can only be pushed forward and cannot be pushed back. As for Peter and Remus, although JK didn't say it explicitly, it can be seen from his later joining the Death Eaters that he is at least a wizarding family, otherwise Voldemort should be the first to be killed, and the other is a wizarding family, but because of the relationship between werewolves, it is estimated that the family situation will not be much better. Then again, in this way, the quartet turned out to be all members of the wizarding circle?! In this comparison, it is normal for Lily and Severus to become a circle, after all, one is a Muggle wizard and the other is a half-blood wizard...... (Tenyin: Is the so-called "inevitability of tragedy"?) ）

Having said that, in fact, in this chapter Remus, Jaime (or Siris?) All of them have appeared! It's just that it's more vague.